Shillong, Aug 10: The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) today passed key amendments to Rules 128 and 129, which should pave the way for a separate electoral roll for GHADC elections.
The reform means GHADC elections will no longer use the Meghalaya Assembly electoral roll. Instead, a dedicated voter list will be prepared where eligibility will be linked to Scheduled Tribe status.
The aim of this is for non-ST persons to be excluded from voting in GHADC elections, which has been a highly contentious issue up to this point. The first step was taken earlier this year when ST status was made mandatory for candidates wishing to stand in GHADC elections.
The issue had led to prolonged violence in parts of Garo Hills in March after non-tribals tried to register their nominations for the polls. The polls were subsequently postponed and then the amendment mandating ST certificates for candidates was passed.
GHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Dhormonath Ch. Sangma said that under the newly passed Separate Electoral Roll, only members belonging to Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities residing within Garo Hills will hold the right to vote and contest the district council election.
The GHADC, established in 1952 under the Sixth Schedule, had until now allowed all communities to vote in council elections.
